The United Spirit Arena will be called the United Supermarkets Arena, pending approval of the Board of Regents, according to a joint news conference hosted by Texas Tech and United on Friday.

Officials announced United has given $9.45 million to the university to extend its naming rights to the arena for another 10 years. The rights now expire in 2027.

Robert Taylor, president of The United Family, said the idea for a name change came about after the company realized many people from outside Lubbock didn’t know the Texas-based supermarket chain had anything to do with the arena.

“Somebody told me the other day ‘You don’t think American Airlines is going to do American Airlines Arena and just let them call it American Arena,’ ” Taylor said. “I think we’ve got a proud heritage out here, we’re proud of the name, and it’s our name.”

Taylor said he’d heard jokes about renaming the numbered seating sections in the arena after aisles in a grocery store — the produce section, the meat section, the canned goods section, etc.

“The changing of the name to United Supermarkets Arena is a good move for them. It exemplifies who did this, and I’m all for it,” Tech Chancellor Kent Hance said.

President Duane Nellis agreed with Hance, saying he wouldn’t necessarily agree with anyone claiming the new name lacks the character of the old.

“It’s still USA arena, and it continues with the United name, and we’re really proud to have that association,” Nellis said.

But online at least, not everyone shared the same sentiment.

“United Spirit Arena is being renamed United Supermarket Arena. If that doesn’t sound dumb, idk (I don’t know) what does,” wrote one disgruntled Twitter user.

According to a Tech news release, some of the new funds will be used to improve locker rooms for the men’s and women’s basketball teams, as well as film rooms and other facilities within the arena that have not been upgraded since its construction 15 years ago.

The money will also be used for scholarships and investments in the leadership academy.

“The generosity of United Supermarkets will provide state-of-the-art amenities for our student athletes and help us continue to educate, serve and grow fearless champions,” Hance said in a release.

Athletics Director Kirby Hocutt said the donation is part of the Campaign for Fearless Champions, announced in February, to raise capital for all 17 Tech sports.

“Today’s announcement will ensure that our arena remains an unparalleled venue in the Big 12 Conference and nation,” Hocutt said.

United originally secured the naming rights to the facility in 1996 with a $10 million, 20-year agreement supporting the construction of the arena. According to Eddie Owens, director of communications for The United Family, that original agreement, due to expire in 2017, has been extended for an extra 10 years.

Since opening its doors, the arena has played host to many high-profile musicians, including Elton John, George Strait and Aerosmith. On June 14, Paul McCartney will play at the arena to a sold-out audience.

The arena is also the traditional site of graduation ceremonies for Tech and the Tech Health Sciences Center, as well as high schools.

“This is the place that people here have so many happy memories of because of the activities that occur here,” Nellis said.

The Tech regents will vote on whether or not to approve the name change at their next meeting May 15-16.

blake.ursch@lubbockonline.com

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United Supermarkets Arena: By the numbers

■ There are 44 Double Ts on the floor of the concourse level.

■ There are 1,287,000 bricks used in the building.

■ There are 1,300 outlets and light switches.

■ There are 1,500 sprinklers covering every area except the high roof.

■ There are over 4,000 lights in the arena.

■ More than 82,000 shingles were used for the roof. They are made of fired clay from Indiana.

■ About 6,200 tons of steel makes up the building.

■ The arena has 387 doors and 624 steps.

■ There are 133 miles of electrical wire in the building.

■ It is 104 feet from the playing floor to the highest point on the building.

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This name change is hideous. I refuse to put that I am graduating at "United Supermarkets" on my graduation invitations. Can the patrons and students who support the events at this venue be allowed to vote on a name change instead of the Board of Regents?
Boycott the change.

Great idea. Any such name change should be decided by a vote of students, alumni, faculty, and any patron who has bought 3 tickets for events at the facility in the space of one year. Let's leave it up to the folks who actually have a horse in this race.

Was easy to identify for us on the South Plains. Albertsons must be trying to cover someplace we do not yet know of. MAS could be right, after this contract, the next step would be "Albertsons Arena" the same name our local stores will have if all goes to corporate plans..

Just wondering if events had run a reverse course. What if Tech had been unwilling to extend the term with United, no other "sponsor" could be found, nine million dollars only dream; y'all be knocking Tech for that too. Never look a gift horse in the mouth.

That stadium was properly named after Clifford B, and Audrey Jones. Dr. Jones was a truly great President of Texas Tech from 1938 through 1944. He EARNED the privelege of having his name on it. He did NOT buy it.

Why do the athletic teams at LISD and Tech look like billboards for Under Armor; because they can and the money is right. Same for Wrigley Field in Chicago. Personally, the UA stuff is overpriced and not worth a flip but the under 25 crowd has been brainwashed; even Goober. Sure they pay great money so the athletes will have to wear it; you can't beat free stuff. All the schools do it, however some
clothiers have better stuff than the junk from UA.